Effect of Bushen Huoxue Prescription in Regulating PINK1/Parkin Pathway in Rat Model of Premature Ovarian Failure
10.13422/j.cnki.syfjx.20242240
- VernacularTitle:补肾活血方调节PINK1/Parkin通路对卵巢早衰模型大鼠的影响
- Author:
Kailing WANG
1
;
Yichen JING
1
;
Guiyun WANG
1
;
Yueheng LI
1
;
Huiping LIU
1
Author Information
1. School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, School of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, and Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula-Syndrome Research, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Bushen Huoxue prescription;
premature ovarian failure;
mitochondrial autophagy;
PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1)/Parkinson's protein (Parkin) signaling pathway
- From:
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae
2025;31(12):150-158
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of action of Bushen Huoxue prescription (BSHXP) in regulating premature ovarian failure in rats through the PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1)/Parkinson's protein (Parkin) signaling pathway-mediated mitophagy. MethodsA total of 48 rats were randomly divided into a blank group consisting of eight rats, while the remaining 40 rats underwent modeling. The modeling group was intraperitoneally injected with 4 mg·kg-1 cisplatin solution, followed by a second injection one week later, for a total of two injections. The estrous cycle was observed through vaginal smears for 14 consecutive days to determine whether the modeling was successful. The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group, groups receiving low, medium, and high doses of BSHXP at 9.72, 19.44, and 38.88 g·kg-1·d-1 (BSHXP-L, BSHXP-M, and BSHXP-H groups), and a positive control group treated with estradiol valerate (0.09 mg·kg-1·d-1), for 21 consecutive days. The body weight of the rats was measured weekly. After the final administration, rats were anesthetized, and their blood and ovaries were collected. The ovarian weight was measured. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect serum levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and estradiol (E2). Assay kits were used to measure the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the rat serum. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the morphological changes in the ovaries. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed to detect microtubule autophagy-related protein 1 light chain 3B(LC3B) protein expression in ovarian tissue, and electron microscopy was employed to examine the mitochondrial and autophagosome changes in the rat ovaries. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of PINK1, Parkin, LC3B, and p62. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of PINK1, Parkin, LC3B, and p62 in ovarian tissue. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group showed significant reductions in body weight, weight gain, and ovarian weight (P<0.01), along with decreased serum AMH and E2 levels (P<0.01), while FSH and LH levels were increased (P<0.01). Serum MDA levels were significantly increased (P<0.01), and SOD levels were significantly reduced (P<0.01). The ovarian tissue structure was disordered, and the zona pellucida was wrinkled into an irregular acidophilic annular object, accompanied by an increased number of closed follicles. Electron microscopy showed mitochondrial swelling, unclear structure, and no obvious autophagosomes and autolysosome structures. The proteins and mRNA expression levels of PINK1, Parkin, LC3B, and p62 in the ovarian tissue were significantly reduced (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, all treatment groups showed varying degrees of increases in body weight and ovarian weight (P<0.05, P<0.01). Except for the BSHXP-L group, all treatment groups showed increased body weight gain (P<0.01). All treatment groups showed significantly increased serum AMH and decreased FSH levels (P<0.01). Except for the BSHXP group, all treatment groups showed varying degrees of increase and decrease in serum E2 and LH levels (P<0.05, P<0.01). All treatment groups showed reduced serum MDA levels (P<0.01), while the BSHXP-M, BSHXP-H, and the positive control groups demonstrated improved serum SOD levels (P<0.05, P<0.01). All treatment groups showed an increased number of follicles at all stages, visible mature follicles, and a decreased number of closed follicles. Electron microscopy showed relieved mitochondrial swelling, morphology close to normal, clear structure, and visible formation of autolysosomes in all treatment groups. Additionally, the protein and mRNA expression levels of PINK1, Parkin, LC3B, and p62 in ovarian tissue were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionBSHXP may improve ovarian function in rats with premature ovarian failure by regulating the PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway, activating mitochondrial autophagy, and reducing oxidative damage.